Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, who served as India’s 50th Chief Justice, has officially retired after an impactful career. Throughout his time on the bench, he delivered more than 500 judgments, tackling high-profile cases such as the Ayodhya dispute and the contentious Article 370. A strong advocate for individual rights and the modernization of the judiciary, Chandrachud’s leadership brought about significant legal and administrative reforms.
He was a proponent of live-streaming court proceedings, enhancing transparency in the legal system. His term as Chief Justice began in November 2022 and will conclude on November 10, 2024, marking a period of substantial judicial advancement. During his two years in office, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud’s legacy is characterized by the introduction of virtual hearings and pivotal rulings, including the landmark Ayodhya Temple decision, the decriminalization of homosexuality, and the affirmation of the abrogation of Article 370. His rulings have left a lasting mark on India’s legal framework.
What is Justice DY Chandrachud’s legacy?
On his final day at the Supreme Court, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud reflected on his legacy, which encompasses crucial decisions regarding privacy, federalism, and LGBTQ+ rights. In his farewell address, he expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Supreme Court Bar Association for organizing the event, sharing a poignant memory from his mother: “She told me that while I was named Dhananjay, the ‘dhan’ in my name represents knowledge, not material wealth.”
The legacy of Chandrachud is also represented through a newly conceptualized ‘Lady Justice’. The traditional depiction of the ‘Goddess of Justice’, adorned in Grecian attire with a blindfold and sword, has been transformed into a six-foot tall statue, which holds scales in one hand and the Constitution in the other. This modern representation features her in a sari, crowned, and without a blindfold.
This change sparked considerable discussion, particularly alongside a significant decision made on his penultimate day in office. D.Y. Chandrachud followed in the footsteps of his father, Y.V. Chandrachud, who holds the record for the longest tenure as Chief Justice of India from 1978 to 1985. This unique circumstance marks the only instance of a father and son both serving in the highest judicial position in India. D.Y. Chandrachud, an alumnus of St. Stephen’s College and the Campus Law Centre in Delhi, later earned an LLM and a doctorate from Harvard Law School, assuming the role of Chief Justice on November 9, 2022.
Justice Chandrachud has established himself as a significant legal authority, having previously served as the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court and as Additional Solicitor General of India. His tenure is noted for historic judgments that have significantly influenced the legal landscape of India. He documented 613 rulings, featuring pivotal decisions that significantly impacted Indian law and public affairs.
Notable Judgments by CJI DY Chandrachud
- The Ayodhya verdict marked a significant moment in Indian history, with Justice Chandrachud playing a pivotal role in the 2019 ruling. Although the extensive 1,045-page judgment was not solely credited to any individual judge, it addressed the long-standing Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid conflict, which has been a point of contention for centuries and holds profound importance for Hindu identity, particularly since the late 1980s. In November 2019, a five-judge Supreme Court bench, headed by former Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, ordered the construction of a Ram temple on the disputed land and designated a separate five-acre area for a mosque.
- In December 2023, a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, reached a unanimous decision to uphold the government’s move to revoke the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370. This ruling put an end to a long-standing debate, as the Constitution bench issued three aligned judgments affirming the abrogation of the constitutional provisions that had conferred special status on Jammu and Kashmir since its integration into India in 1947.
- On September 6, 2018, a five-judge panel of the Indian Supreme Court reached a unanimous decision to partially invalidate Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. This landmark ruling effectively decriminalizes consensual same-sex relationships among adults. However, the court made it clear that the part of Section 377 addressing bestiality remains unchanged.
- He was a member of a nine-judge panel and played a pivotal role in crafting the unanimous decision that recognized the right to privacy as a fundamental right under Article 21, which pertains to life and personal liberty.
- As the Chief Justice of India, one of the most influential judges in the history of independent India, he spearheaded crucial administrative reforms, notably advancing the digitization of court records and processes as part of the ongoing e-Courts initiative.
- He broadened the provisions of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act and its associated regulations to encompass unmarried women and even transgender individuals, allowing for abortions between 20 and 24 weeks of gestation.
- Chandrachud also tackled sensitive matters, ruling that the criminalization of adultery was both arbitrary and outdated, and he acknowledged the validity of living wills created by terminally ill patients.
- He authored judgments addressing the power struggles between the Delhi government and the lieutenant governor. In May 2023, his bench determined that the Delhi government would have authority over all services within the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
- The case stemming from the legislative change that restored powers to the Delhi lieutenant governor is still awaiting resolution and stands as one of Chandrachud’s ongoing challenges.
Chandrachud is not only recognized for his sharp legal mind but also for his passion for cricket. Reports suggest that he enjoyed playing the sport in the backyard of the bungalow assigned to Chandrachud Sr in Lutyens Delhi. A devoted family man, he frequently appears in photographs with his wife and children. He is the proud father of two sons, Abhinav and Chintan, who are both lawyers, as well as two foster daughters, Priyanka and Mahi, who have special needs.
